The article from Fried's The Passionate Teacher shows an insightful argument. The game of school is a reality among the majority of schools. Schools aren't just designed for learning and gaining information, but are instead manipulated like a game where students see solely the end goal. Some indicators of the game of school are the test with short answer because of the effort involved in reading essays, the push for involvement in activities to look good on resumes, and the students who will follow teachers exactly to receive an "A." Getting through school has turned into going through the motions and making things look good from the outside.
In my town, helicopter parents were common and there was nothing they wanted more than for their child to look like the best. I knew lots of people involved in things they hated, just to give them a boost when applying for college. For example, people would be involved in community service, which from the outside looks great. However, they didn't enjoy what they were doing except for the fact that it made their resume more competitive. At my school, parents competed with other parents about whose child took more AP courses, not because their child actually enjoyed the subject, but just to play the game of school. In high school, I always tried to do what it took to get the A, and looking back, I believe that was everyone's goal.
Now that I am at URI, things are different in a good way. I don't believe the game of school is as strong and competitive because it is a new kind of school. I do believe some people are here just to receive a degree with the littlest work possible and to be on their way, and I do believe that some professors just care about getting their paycheck, but I know things are different. Since college has a big price tag and it is setting students up for the workforce, it is even more crucial that they focus on actually learning the information and understanding each course. There are not as many things to get in the way such as helicopter parenting and troublemaking students and it is up to each individual to tackle school on their own. I want to take things beyond the game of school in college because the game of school is only going to hurt in the long run.
Lastly, I believe that the game of school is hurting the efforts to improve schools. People need to change their mindsets right now. School systems might be thinking that they will just give easier tests to improve their school standings and grades or that they will hire teachers who will pass students that give little effort. If schools took the time to see the problem, they can create a solution.
In my town, helicopter parents were common and there was nothing they wanted more than for their child to look like the best. I knew lots of people involved in things they hated, just to give them a boost when applying for college. For example, people would be involved in community service, which from the outside looks great. However, they didn't enjoy what they were doing except for the fact that it made their resume more competitive. At my school, parents competed with other parents about whose child took more AP courses, not because their child actually enjoyed the subject, but just to play the game of school. In high school, I always tried to do what it took to get the A, and looking back, I believe that was everyone's goal.
Now that I am at URI, things are different in a good way. I don't believe the game of school is as strong and competitive because it is a new kind of school. I do believe some people are here just to receive a degree with the littlest work possible and to be on their way, and I do believe that some professors just care about getting their paycheck, but I know things are different. Since college has a big price tag and it is setting students up for the workforce, it is even more crucial that they focus on actually learning the information and understanding each course. There are not as many things to get in the way such as helicopter parenting and troublemaking students and it is up to each individual to tackle school on their own. I want to take things beyond the game of school in college because the game of school is only going to hurt in the long run.
Lastly, I believe that the game of school is hurting the efforts to improve schools. People need to change their mindsets right now. School systems might be thinking that they will just give easier tests to improve their school standings and grades or that they will hire teachers who will pass students that give little effort. If schools took the time to see the problem, they can create a solution.